Drunk driver crashes downtown, disables traffic signal

2/20/2014 11:11:13 AM

By Bill Tipple

A drunk driver was arrested after he caused extensive damage in a downtown crash on Main Street near Chillicothe Avenue Wednesday night around 10:05.

The Bellefontaine Police Department reports that James Current Jr., 40, of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, was driving a 2005 Ford F150 northbound on Main Street when he lost control, then went off the right side of the road near the entrance to the PNC Bank drive-up location.

Current continued north on the sidewalk and struck a tree, a cement flower pot, and a street light post.

The tree was pulled from the ground, the flower pot was moved, and the street light post was cracked.

Current continued north across Chillicothe Avenue and hit the traffic signal support pole at the intersection. The pole was sheared off at the ground.

Current then struck another tree and cement flower pot. Both items were destroyed.

Current kept going north and struck a traffic signal pole near Edward Jones. The pole landed in the middle of Main Street.

Current then ran over the crosswalk sign at Court Avenue.

His pickup finally became disabled and stopped in the northbound lane in front of the courthouse.

Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Current.

He admitted to drinking a couple of beer earlier in the evening.

After Current failed a field sobriety test, he was taken to the department for a blood alcohol test.

His blood alcohol level on the first test was .164. He was unable to provide a valid second test.

Current was charged with OVI and cited for failure to control.

As the officer was completing paperwork, Current passed out in the holding cell.

He was transported to the Logan County Jail.

The City Street Department placed temporary stop signs at Main and Chillicothe, making the intersection a four-way stop.

The lights for southbound, eastbound, and westbound traffic are flashing red.